Belfast Giants have confirmed Steve Thornton as their new player-coach for the 2008-09 Elite League campaign.

Thornton, a former Belfast player, spent this season with Basingstoke Bison although he missed a large part of it due to a hand injury.

The 35-year-old takes over at the Odyssey Arena from Ed Courtenay, who has decided to retire.

Thornton said: "It is a career path I have wanted for a while now and it is a great opportunity for me, an opportunity which was just too good to pass up.

"I am going into a situation where I have the ability to put a great team together and hopefully have a chance to win something.

"The fans want to see the team win something, Belfast deserve it."

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